Drug Interaction Report

Erythromycin may increase the blood levels and effects of ethinyl estradiol. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects, such as changes in weight and/or appetite, dizziness, headaches, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and/or bleeding between menstrual cycles. Seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following, as they could indicate that you are experiencing a serious side effect: dark urine; light-colored stools; yellow skin or eyes; very bad headache or dizziness; passing out; change in eyesight or a change in how contact lenses feel; severe upset stomach; severe vomiting; pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; trouble breathing; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color or pain in a leg or arm; trouble speaking or swallowing; depression or other mood changes; a lump in the breast; breast pain or soreness; nipple discharge; bone pain; and/or muscle cramps or spasms.

On the other hand, antibiotics such as erythromycin can also reduce the amount of estrogen available in the body from estrogen containing hormonal medications. If you are using an estrogen containing medication for birth control, you may be at increased risk for pregnancy or breakthrough bleeding. Be sure to alert your doctor if you are having any vomiting and/or diarrhea as this too can impact how well your hormonal birth control works. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to determine if you should use an alternative or additional form of birth control during or after treatment with erythromycin. If you are using an estrogen containing medication for a purpose other than birth control, discuss any questions you may have or any changes you notice regarding how well your medication is working with your doctor. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

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Erythromycin may increase the blood levels and effects of norgestrel. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects, such as changes in weight and/or appetite, dizziness, headaches, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and/or bleeding between menstrual cycles. Seek immediate medical care if you experience any of the following, as they could indicate that you are experiencing a serious side effect: dark urine; light-colored stools; yellow skin or eyes; very bad headache or dizziness; passing out; change in eyesight or a change in how contact lenses feel; severe upset stomach; severe vomiting; pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; trouble breathing; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color or pain in a leg or arm; trouble speaking or swallowing; depression or other mood changes; a lump in the breast; breast pain or soreness; nipple discharge; bone pain; and/or muscle cramps or spasms.

On the other hand, antibiotics such as erythromycin can also reduce the amount of estrogen available in the body from estrogen containing hormonal medications. If you are using an estrogen containing medication for birth control, you may be at increased risk for pregnancy or breakthrough bleeding. Be sure to alert your doctor if you are having any vomiting and/or diarrhea as this too can impact how well your hormonal birth control works. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to determine if you should use an alternative or additional form of birth control during or after treatment with erythromycin. If you are using an estrogen containing medication for a purpose other than birth control, discuss any questions you may have or any changes you notice regarding how well your medication is working with your doctor. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

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Food decreases the levels of erythromycin in your body. Take erythromycin on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal. This will make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. However, some erythromycin products may be taken without regard to meals. Ask your healthcare provider about your particular prescription if you are uncertain of how to take it. Grapefruits and grapefruit juice may increase erythromycin levels but how this may affect you is not known. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

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Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of certain medications such as norgestrel. You may want to limit your consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with norgestrel. However, if you have been regularly consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice with the medication, then it is advisable for you to talk with your doctor before changing the amounts of these products in your diet, as this may alter the effects of your medication. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects. Orange juice is not expected to interact.

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Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.